Bill Pascrell Jr. was a former mayor of Paterson, New Jersey and longstanding New Jersey congressman, serving over 25 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Died: August 21, 2024 (Who else died on August 21?)
- Details of death: Died in Livingston, New Jersey at the age of 87.
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Bill Pascrell Jr.’s legacy
Born in Paterson, New Jersey, where he would eventually be elected mayor twice, Bill Pascrell Jr. served in the United States Army and its reserves before earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Fordham University. He went into education before entering the world of politics, working more than a decade as a high school teacher, then as a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University. His grandparents were immigrants from Italy.
In 1987, Pascrell ran for and won a seat on the New Jersey General Assembly, holding office from 1988 to 1997. During that same period, he served two terms as his hometown’s mayor. After winning voters’ trust in those roles, he stepped down from both to take a U.S. Congressional seat he sought in the 1996 election, a position he won 13 more times, serving until his death.
Pascrell was known as a no-nonsense politician who said what was on his mind. He maintained close ties with local police and fire departments, sponsoring the Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement Act of 2000. Pascrell voted to support the invasion of Iraq in 2002, pushed legislation addressing concert ticket pricing and sports injuries, and he served on the House Ways and Means committee.
Notable quote
“My problem is that I always have too many things. When I get interested in something, we work on it. And if that means doubling up, that’s what you do.” — Interview with New Jersey Globe, January 2024
Tributes to Bill Pascrell Jr.
Full obituary: NorthJersey.com
